Blurry Face

By Logan Lewis

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I've got nothing here to hide, 
tear me open: look inside
you'll see where a beating heart'd once stand
in the soul of a broken man. 
Solomon's got nothin on me
you pulled me apart yet I breathe
a sigh of quick relief
knowing that you're gone and I'm free. 
I'm still strong. 

If only I had a Time Machine
Then you'd see just what I mean
That I'm no good for you I see
Then I'd just let it be
We were young and everything was fun
But now it seems we're done
Another year older: another trip around the sun 

I blurred your face out of our pictures yesterday
I'd be lying if I said it didn't have to be this way
I saw the story in your eye
Oh how time would fly
And now all I have to say is Goodbye 

Now these pictures feature a featureless face
In that Mesa, Arizona, coffee shop place
The other face just takes up blank space
Every time I view our picture, your blurry face I see

And it makes no sense at all to me

About the Author
Logan "Bowie" Lewis is from Pekin, Illinois, going into his third year at Illinois Central College. He loves music and plays the guitar and writes songs and poems. His favorite bands are The Replacements and The Lemonheads. His biggest heroes are God and his parents. He gets inspiration from events and tidings throughout life. You can often find him at music shops and record stores. 

Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,

As the Illinois Central Review celebrates its one-year anniversary, I am pleased to share with you our latest issue. 

This is a noteworthy issue because we received so many wonderful visual artwork submissions last semester. As you may have noticed, the Illinois Central Review has been lacking in visual artwork compared to creative writing. In fact, our second issue didn't have any artwork at all. There are so many creative and talented students at Illinois Central College, and I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase their work in this issue.

We have less prose than usual, but the pieces published in this issue range in approach, subject matter, and use of literary elements. We also have a stellar and diverse collection of poetry to share with you.

We have a Facebook page where each week I showcase a piece that appears in the journal. Please check it out and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/illinoiscentralreview 

I hope you enjoy this issue and thank you for taking a look! 

In writing,

Melissa Grunow
Associate Professor, English

P.S. If you are a student at Illinois Central College and want to submit your writing or artwork for consideration, the deadline for the next issue is May 1, 2023. 

Winter's Creek

By Teagan Knetzer

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About the Author

Taegan Knetzer enjoys practicing photography as a hobby. She uses photography as a way to document her adventures from National Parks to nearby corn fields. 

Bee Enjoying Sunflower

 By Taegan Knetzer

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About the Author

Taegan Knetzer enjoys practicing photography as a hobby. She uses photography as a way to document her adventures from National Parks to nearby corn fields. 

Slamming My Breaks at a Yellow Light

 By Ryan Hallam

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Slamming the Breaks at a Yellow Light
Tediously tapping and countlessly clicking the pen,
Cross outs and slathering whiteout,
Opening my mouth just to close it.
Texting out my text and backspacing,
Staring at the menu till the server gets pissed off,
Someone approaching the door can’t decide if I should hold it
Open, door thuds a little too harsh
Hop in the car, can’t pick a playlist,
Slamming the breaks at a yellow light.
Honked at and cursed out.
Turns out there was plenty of time

About the Author

Ryan Hallam is in his last semester at ICC. Ryan currently lives in Washington Illinois. Usually, he is quite shy, but his stories allow him to be vocal on themes and aspects of life he wonders about. Besides school and work, Ryan spends most of his time attempting standup comedy at the Jukebox Comedy Club. Standup is a passion of his and helps him share his unique observations. 

The Ceiling Is My Best Friend

 By Ryan Hallam

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1.Music is annoying

(I might be losing it)
Uncertainty is making my hair strains
parachute from my friend the fan
Certainty is a snake
Constricting and unhinging
I guess I’m a mouse
each week is a fruit
and the month is the smoothie
or month is the milk
Year must be a smoothie
Must be.

2. Certainly

12:02, I’ll be at the library
7:27 on War Memorial
Sunday you know where to find me
Ceiling fan needs rehab
Very shaky, missing Eyeball
Poor Mr. Fan,
First name being ceiling

3.

Mr. Ceiling Fan has only one eye left now,
doesn’t even cover up
He throws my papers around
I swim in them

 

About the Author

Ryan Hallam is in his last semester at ICC. Ryan currently lives in Washington Illinois. Usually, he is quite shy, but his stories allow him to be vocal on themes and aspects of life he wonders about. Besides school and work, Ryan spends most of his time attempting standup comedy at the Jukebox Comedy Club. Standup is a passion of his and helps him share his unique observations. 

Distorted Records

 By Ryan Hallam

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Distorted Records, head laid back, hearing two separate conversations each ear takes one

My name is? Something? Trying to remember words, are scrambled eggs.

Missed you, and your calls woke up on the park bench. Strangers perplexed, puzzled, wish to be alone, one picks up a phone, turn my head away close my eyes and start to dream

Tea leaf dancers circling around me. Heartly Harps resurrect me. Siren sounds turn to reality.

About the Author

Ryan Hallam is in his last semester at ICC. Ryan currently lives in Washington Illinois. Usually, he is quite shy, but his stories allow him to be vocal on themes and aspects of life he wonders about. Besides school and work, Ryan spends most of his time attempting standup comedy at the Jukebox Comedy Club. Standup is a passion of his and helps him share his unique observations.